All Is Well

I hope no one is alarmed that I have not been here in awhile. There have been many events here the last month.

I enjoy finding arches in nature to use as backgrounds for such arrangements. 

We are enjoying vivid sunsets, and I assure you there has been no photo enhancements. 

This is a favorite theme of mine (picture from Pinterest) because of the home in the background.  

I hope to be here again soon. Thank you for checking on me and for those who send support. It really helps. 

Please enjoy being home while you listen:

Modest Moments Coloring book teaches values in clothing

Here is another one:

and another

Because my technical problems are not quite corrected, I was unable to provide the links.  Perhaps you can find these on Amazon.

Sticker book depicts loveliness.  Although you may want to remove a few that are not completely modest, the bulk of the book is lovely. Be sure to listen to the recording that describes the quality of the stickers as "washi" and removeable.   The stickers are a combination of Victorian and modern beauty, and I especially like the houses and windows.

The stories I have been listening to on YouTube, while I do housework or other things, are from these channels and are, so far, very wholesome, or "clean."  Most are written by actual people but are put into computer voice and pictures.  Each of these channels has quite a number of stories, and they all end well, even though there might be hardship or sorrow throughout the story.

Find YouTube, then enter one of these titles  in the YouTube search area to get each channel's list of stories.

Boots and Roses 

The Western Trail 

Prairie Heart Stories

Emma Ashwood ( I have not heard this channel yet) 

Say With Jay (an easy listen and a favorite)

Silent Thoughts (Christian Romance)

Simply Grace Audio

Golden Valley Films

Regency Stories

Frontier Souls

Moonlight Stories and Regency Lantern

Cowboy Parables

Nameless Cowboy Stories

Cowboy Spirit

Manorlight Stories and Regency Lantern

There is of course, the possibility that not all stories will be believable or in harmony with all our story standards, but I found most of these to be very inoffensive.  They generally depict people overcoming various obstacles in life, helping others, loyalty, gratefulness, and people helping others.  I know some people object to the AI generated pictures and voices but the colors and scenes are very nice -- and some of the clothing and hairstyles is very pretty. I keep in mind the stories are for listening, not particularly for watching, so I don't necessarily see all the flaws or the mistakes in some of the costumes or backgrounds in the videos. The main thing is that they depict the interaction between men and women and the kindness and courtesy they extend to one another.  Stories should lift our moods and ennoble us to be happy and helpful.

If I need some rest or am recovering from illness, these channels are very nice to listen to.

Some Technical Problems

 

Hello Ladies,

I have been slowly recovering my homemaking after an extraordinary amount of activity, and making notes of things to tell you on video again. I appreciate those prayers for me to get the time to to that! As far as I know I can still post a video but I'm swamped with work and lacking time. 

For a few people overseas who are used to communicating on WhatsApp, I have not been able to access it it. I hope it is a temporary problem that will be corrected soon. 

For my family and friends, my phone says unavailable and although I can answer calls, I cannot send any and no texts come in.  Until that is solved, you can email me and I can call you on another phone if necessary.

There are other internet problems where my accounts are being blocked or restricted. Hopefully this will be corrected. Other people have had similar challenges.

For a little refresh, and to get my mind a rest, I have set up a table outside to look like some of the historic photographs I have seen with the cottage in the background.

There will be a better picture added later, with the full house in the background. I have to do some tidying up on the porch and other places for the photograph.

You will see my outdoor table with the house behind it, followed by pictures from Pinterest that are similar. Check back for an evening photo with the sunset mirrored in the window. 

My photos: 

These are from Pinterest:

Abundance ( with video)

Today I talked about aspect of abundant living.

 

Pictures

 

It was a challenge to get an unobstructed view of the couple and the wedding events. The professional photographers pictures may be sent later, but these are some attempts from my view. 

Several times I have been asked if the minister is my husband, the bride's grandfather. No. The wedding was officiated by the preacher of the church in the town where she attended for many years. The wedding took place in Redmond, Oregon , known as  Eastern Oregon, in the high desert. 

The Bride is 19; the groom is 21. Most of the women in my family were married at 19. 

Before their departure, she changed to her hand-sewn

                  going-away dress and retained the veil. 

His name is T-Roy Hass and he is the preacher at a church in Blue Springs, Missouri. 

I keep looking  to see how they change his bio on the

website to include his bride. 

All is Well

 

Greetings and congratulations for another day of home life. All is well here and I hope all is well with you.

I spent the day cleaning up outside and making things look as curb- attractive as possible for my family and friends. It is time to get the paint out and freshen up garden fences and outdoor things before rain comes. 

The Manse this evening.

In light of world events and cultural pressures swirling around us, here is a little scripture that I feel is integral to keep the homemaker focused on every good thing: 

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." 

It is easy to be distracted by the uncertainty of the world around us. Replace those worries with kindness and forgiveness and tenderness. I will try to talk more about it on video.

Also to the homemaker: It's never too late to create an atmosphere at home conducive to happiness, especially in a country like ours.

When you are doing well, there will be criticism and attack. My husband read a scripture that helped deal with the unjust and undeserved hatred of the Titus 2:5 reference to women as keepers at home .

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." 1st Peter 4:12

Those who pressure homemakers to get a life outside the home, can leave you puzzled, but that's what the enemy does: keep you in a state of uncertainty and fear. 

Instead of taking up thinking space in hours of emotional turmoil, rehearsing what someone said to take away your love of homemaking, use it as a trigger to do something nice for yourself, the house and someone else. Do not stay in that immobile state, unable to progress from the sorting of good books to the careful keeping of family memories in a journal or a box of precious papers.

I like that phrase "be not surprised...as though something strange were happening to you."

It is saying "don't be so surprised when those who are minding their own business at home will sometimes be attacked for it."  It triggers negative, jealous people. 

Previous generations taught their children about this: Whatever you try to do that is justified by God, even the simplest things like having a home and being a homemaker, -- "whatever you try to do, someone will try to stop you."   

When we were younger, (back in the olden days 😊) we  rather expected resistance when we practiced goodness.

 Homemaking, and homeschooling , being feminine, teaching others what is good, pursuing interests, improving yourself, etc. would always attract envy and resentment. Those good things just seem to trigger negative people. 

Read the book of Nehemiah and see how the culture tried to prevent the progress on building something good. Some people would sneer at the builders and make snide, disrespectful remarks. Read what Nehemiah did to encourage the workers. 

This would all be easier to understand in a video talk but my vocal chords have felt thin the last couple months. I hope to talk to you pretty soon and fill you in on what has transpired since I last broadcast. 

Lydia Ruth 

Things I saw in a shop recently;

Pictures

 

Hopefully you'll be hearing from me via video soon. 

We have been to World Market and were able to purchase these three cups. 

Talk Soon

Hello Ladies,

I feel as though I am a character in a book called A Long Way Home because I can't seem to find my way back to the video broadcasts which I create to encourage homemakers. Busy days make it a challenge to get to a broadcast. My voice is wearing thin from all the unnecessary talking I do at home, so I am trying to be quiet, and reserve some voice for you. 

As you see, above, my castles are back!! 

Miss Lillian is in The Manse  talking to

her future husband. 

She is here sewing her wedding dress. Her home in eastern Oregon has been evacuated due to smoke. 

Please  do not copy photos on this page nor send.

Painting:

The Wedding Dress by George Goodwin Kilburn 1839-1924

Sewing the Wedding Dress

( author unknown)

The White Stitch

• Soft white cloth upon the floor,

•

• Silver needle through the door

•

• Of time and hope, a-threading slow,

•

• Where quiet, happy feelings go.

•

The Dress Takes Shape

• Inch by inch the bodice grows,

•

• Sweet as petals on a rose.

•

• Long white lace and smooth-spun silk,

•

• Pale and bright as morning milk.

•

Ready for the Day

• Pins are pulled and thread is tied,

•

• Waiting for the happy bride.

•

• Every seam a wish made true,

•

• Old and bright, and white and blue.

Hopefully I'll talk at you soon!!!

Lydia Ruth

Hay Season

 

Hello Everyone,

It is hay season here. We stop and watch the huge farm machines with their air conditioned cabs and up to date fascinating amenities. 

If I can manage my time properly I'll make a hay season dress. 

Miss Lillian, our little granddaughter, is busy trying hair styles, and is busy sewing for her wedding. She is going to marry a young preacher in Missouri. I will tell more about it in a video. 

We are all doing the best we can and keeping cool with plenty of ice and taking dips in the stock tank . 

All is well here and I

hope all is well with you.

We are having a Ladies Day at our little congregation and my daughter Lily Beth and her daughter Lillian are conducting the event with singing, reading, reciting  poetry, a Bible Brides quiz and a delicious Afternoon Tea luncheon. I will include pictures of table arrangements and party favors soon. It will also be a gift card wedding shower for our bride-to-be. 

I still plan to converse with you on video when the rush is over. 

Lydia Ruth

Happiness Today

 

I'm still well and happy and trying to get back to broadcasts.

Thank you for being so patient!

Lydia Ruth